So is Labour really washed out? Page 8
It's nice to see comedians starting to give President Obama a little grief. He didn't bother doing an actual impression of the president, but the points are dead on. The honeymoon may not be over, but the hotel management has just slid the bill under the door ...
Mmmn... s'OK, but not really biting satire is it? Plus, the whole point of SNL political sketches always used to be based on getting someone who really did a good impression of their target. There is a wealth of material to be found in the way Obama speaks and his high-flown rhetoric. Can't SNL find anyone who can do a great impersonation of the President? It beggars belief, frankly.
The trouble is everyone seems to have forgotten the rules these days.
You vote someone in once - maybe twice - but no more because then they can't do too much damage. Also in their first time in power they critiscise the previous government and blame them for everything saying how bad the legacy they've been left. The second term they try to reverse everything done previously. Don't give them a third term though because it's just no fun anymore.
Quote: Tim Walker @ October 5 2009, 12:39 AM BSTCan't SNL find anyone who can do a great impersonation of the President? It beggars belief, frankly.
Armisen can do a great Obama. But the fact that he's Chicago comedian leads me to believe that he's unwilling (or maybe the show's unwilling) to really skewer the president as they did George Bush over the last 8 years. It's obvious that SNL felt that something needed to be said, but they still feel uncomfortable about saying it.
Quote: Chappers @ October 5 2009, 12:50 AM BSTYou vote someone in once - maybe twice - but no more because then they can't do too much damage.
Two 4-year terms is all they're allowed by law in the United States.
Quote: DaButt @ October 5 2009, 12:53 AM BSTArmisen can do a great Obama. But the fact that he's Chicago comedian leads me to believe that he's unwilling (or maybe the show's unwilling) to really skewer the president as they did George Bush over the last 8 years. It's obvious that SNL felt that something needed to be said, but they still feel uncomfortable about saying it.
Agree, it was rather half-hearted and really attacking those who are criticising Obama more than anything else.
Quote: DaButt @ October 5 2009, 12:53 AM BSTTwo 4-year terms is all they're allowed by law in the United States.
Maximum periods for one party governments wouldn't work over here. However, we are long overdue having fixed term parliaments. We should have a general election every 4 years, it shouldn't be at the whim of the ruling party to be allowed to call it early (unless there is an absolute emergency or a change of Prime Minister) or drag it out to the last possible minute (as Brown is doing).
Quote: Tim Walker @ October 5 2009, 12:58 AM BSTMaximum periods for one party governments wouldn't work over here.
It's not the party that's limited, it's the individual. A president can't serve more than 2 4-year terms, but nothing stands in the way of his/her party ruling for eternity. Elections are held every 4 years unless someone dies, quits or is removed from office.
Quote: DaButt @ October 5 2009, 1:01 AM BSTIt's not the party that's limited, it's the individual. A president can't serve more than 2 4-year terms, but nothing stands in the way of his/her party ruling for eternity. Elections are held every 4 years unless someone dies, quits or is removed from office.
Yep, I know, I just meant that there is such an inextricable link between who's Prime Minister and who forms the government over here that there isn't the same degree of clean break from administration to administration. Although the role of Prime Minister has become more presidential in nature over the years (especially with Tony Blair), the fates of the Prime Minister and party MPs at elections are almost completely tied. You can't have a Labour Prime Minister without a Labour majority in the House of Commons. (Well, technically you can, if we were to ever have a "hung" parliament after an election. But that hasn't happened in over a century.)
Quote: Dolly Dagger @ October 4 2009, 10:23 PM BSTWhy's that?
Your response to don. He's done his time, so to speak, and AFAIK hasn't misbehaved since he returned. You don't have to like him, but it seemed somewhat a sly, uncalled-for dig at him when he'd not made any initial comment to warrant such a reply.
Quote: Chappers @ October 5 2009, 12:50 AM BSTYou vote someone in once - maybe twice - but no more because then they can't do too much damage. Also in their first time in power they critiscise the previous government and blame them for everything saying how bad the legacy they've been left.
Come May - assuming the Conservatives win the general election - that will actually be true for once.
Quote: Tim Walker @ October 5 2009, 1:11 AM BSTthe role of Prime Minister has become more presidential in nature over the years (especially with Tony Blair)
Quite. The First Lord of the Treasury has less accountability now than Henry VIII did, for flip's sake.
As for Labour's stint in power, has anyone mentioned the violent crime figures yet?
I'm also amused by the way that Tony Blair couldn't wait to leave Britain after his tenure. Buggering off to America and the Middle East where he could make some decent money. How strange.
Quote: Aaron @ October 5 2009, 1:44 AM BSTYour response to don. He's done his time, so to speak, and AFAIK hasn't misbehaved since he returned. You don't have to like him, but it seemed somewhat a sly, uncalled-for dig at him when he'd not made any initial comment to warrant such a reply.
Well for starters it was a joke in response to a non-serious comment he'd made. Secondly Don had made a bitchy comment to me on another thread. I didn't see him get a ticking off for that, but I make a joke and being female I get accused of being bitchy. Thirdly Don took the comment in the spirit it was intended and doesn't seem to need anyone sticking up for him. And lastly the comment I made could only be really be deemed bitchy if Don was actually locked up in prison for a crime he didn't commit.
Quote: Dolly Dagger @ October 5 2009, 8:01 AM BST... for a crime he didn't commit.
It struck me as simply a joke, and a generous one at that, because it's far nicer to have someone take the time to make a joke with you in it, than for them to ignore you. It's a form of camaraderie.
Ditto. And quite a good joke by Dolly, I thought. 
I'd just like to say as a non-political bear that the country in the main is pretty much going to the dogs. Actually our canine friends could probably do a better job.
Education: is in a worse state than ever. Don't let the so called improving grades fool you. There is so much rubbish being taught at the moment it's unbelievable. I blame us teachers to a certain extent for not standing up for what we believe in. But also local authorities who will crucify anybody who tries to stand up to them. We all have mortgages.
Economy: It was a case of shut your eyes ande enjoy the ride. Short sighted and tantamount to negligence. In any other profession those responsible including Monsieur Brown would have been sacked on the spot.
Armed forces: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8289541.stm
We have to get others to do their share. Maybe. But in the meantime more soldiers die unnecessarily. That's ok then.
I'll stop there before I explode slightly.